"It is sad to be giving it up," Potts said. "It was an amazing year. I will tell the new queen to make it the best week of her life. It goes by very fast."

"I'm a little in shock and a little apprehensive," Spring said after receiving her new title. "But I am very happy and proud to represent Muskingum County."

Kirsten Fusner, 16, and Mary Teisinger, 17, members of her court were both very excited before the announcement. They have all been friends and were supportive of each other. "I know whoever gets queen will fill the responsibilities excellently," Teisinger said.

Fair board president Darrel Cubbison introduced the dignitaries and was undaunted by a brief loss of electricity during the opening ceremonies. He is president of Ohio Fair Managers and has attended 22 fairs this year.

"There are 95 fairs each year," he said. "There are 87 county fairs, seven independent fairs and, of course, one state fair."

"Every fair is unique," Cubbison continued. "There is something for everyone no matter how big or how small."

Cubbison will emcee the Ohio State Fair Queen competition in January of 2015 at the Hyatt Hotel in Columbus, where Spring will compete against the other Junior Fair Queens for the state title.

Prior toBefore the opening ceremonies, Dalton Tom and Jenna Jordan sang the national anthem and Cubbison honored our veterans in attendance by asking them to stand for applause. Four-year-old Kolvin Riggle won a tricycle donated by Chris Zemba, of Champion Services of Zanesville.

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Ethan Wickham of Philo marches with Clever Clovers 4-H group during the opening ceremonies for the fair. Trevor Jones/Times Recorder

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The 4-H awards were distributed and Muskingum County Commissioners Jim Porter, Jerry Lavy and Todd Sands shook the winners' hands. The Junior Fair parade immediately followed the award ceremony.

The West Muskingum Marching Band opened the parade and entertained the packed grandstand with Journey's "Any Way You Want It." Spring led the parade, being driven in a white Chevrolet convertible compliments of Jeff Drennan Chevrolet. Her court followed, each in separate vehicles.

Chase Myers, president of the Junior Fair Board, and Emily Reed, vice president, acted as announcers for the parade. There were many floats and horses on hand for the occasion. Creative Farm Kids took first place with their 4-H float. The theme was "Save the Day with Junior Fair."

Cubbison said that the number of attendees will top the 85,000 that usually is expected each year. That number does not include the participants who that bring their animals and crafts to show and prepurchase passes.

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Cole Babcock, 8, of Creative Farm Kids empties a wheelbarrow. The Muskingum County Fair opened on Sunday. Trevor Jones/Times Recorder

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Boone Rayner, 1, looks to his family as Don Deane of Trafalgar, Ind. drives past in his modified class vehicle. Boone came to the National Tractor Pullers Association Truck & Tractor Pull with his parents Corrie and Josey Rayner of Blue Rock. Thirty-six vehicles took part in the event on the opening night of the Muskingum County Fair. Trevor Jones/Times Recorder